Telomerase Inhibitor May Treat Many Types of Cancer

The results of in vitro and in vivo testing of a telomerase inhibitor show promise for treating multiple forms of cancer.

Cancer kills through uncontrolled tumor cell growth caused by genetic mutations. All types of cancer rely on telomerase to allow the uncontrolled growth to continue indefinitely, instead of stopping when the cancer cells' telomeres become critically short. A lead compound, GRN163, is a telomerase inhibitor that has shown safety and efficacy in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies.

The compound was developed by Geron Corp. (Menlo Park, CA, USA; www.geron.com) in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (NY, NY, USA) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). Geron has recently received a grant of almost US$800,000 to continue work on the compound. A recent US patent has been issued to Geron, covering its telomerase-inhibiting technology. Treatment with GRN163 resulted in senescence and apoptosis of tumor cells, in vitro studies have shown. The inhibitor was tested on 13 different types of cancers. In vivo testing has also shown good results. On average, tumors in treated animals were 70-80% smaller than in untreated animals. The tests revealed no signs of toxicity.

"Because telomerase activity is key to the malignancy and spread of all types of cancer cells, we believe telomerase inhibition will be effective against a very wide range of cancer types, while avoiding toxicity to normal cells,” said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., president and CEO of Geron.




Related Links:
Geron Corp.
US National Cancer Institute